Bishop Robert Barron: Prayer
Here is the purpose of prayer…
St. John of Damascus said that prayer is the “raising of the mind and the heart to God.”
Since we are made in the image and likeness of God, we all have a natural instinct to pray.
But what’s the point of prayer? Doesn’t God already know what we’ll say?
Watch this video to learn more about the purpose of prayer:
An excerpt from
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCERNMENT
A supernatural gift
Speak, Lord
172. Nonetheless, it is possible that, even in prayer itself, we could refuse to let ourselves be confronted by the freedom of the Spirit, who acts as he wills. We must remember that prayerful discernment must be born of a readiness to listen: to the Lord and to others, and to reality itself, which always challenges us in new ways. Only if we are prepared to listen, do we have the freedom to set aside our own partial or insufficient ideas, our usual habits and ways of seeing things. In this way, we become truly open to accepting a call that can shatter our security, but lead us to a better life. It is not enough that everything be calm and peaceful. God may be offering us something more, but in our comfortable inadvertence, we do not recognize it.
Fr. Godfrey's Homily
Advent 1A 2019
St. Benedict Cathedral
St. Benedict Cathedral
When they switched from the mustard yellow Buick to the grey Buick, it messed us up. We could sit on our bikes on the corner of Main and Ohio and see for a good half-mile as we awaited our grandparents. But after they got the new car, we didn’t know what we were looking for. It made spotting them almost impossible, until Grandma honked the horn as they were preparing to turn.
So it is in the images Jesus uses today: in both stories, of Noah’s time and the impending thievery, recognition was key. And that key was easily missed. So He reminds us: Stay awake; be prepared!
And for us, the most certain way we can prepare ourselves for recognizing the Son of Man when He comes is prayer. If we know Him, how could we miss Him? So what about prayer? Today, let’s consider quiet, personal prayer. I invite every person here to think of something most concerning or disturbing. Hold that thought for a few seconds in quiet. … Now, let’s spend a few seconds telling God about that concern. In quiet, let’s tell Him about it right now. … And now, let’s spend a little bit in anticipation of His response. In quiet, let’s listen. … And that, my friends, is prayer: speak to God, listen to God, then let’s set out to act on what He tells us. Speaking, listening, loving. That’s who we’re called to be during this season of waiting. And if we make that our habit, we’ll know Him when He comes. Let’s stay awake; let’s be prepared. Come, Lord Jesus, come!
Daily Mass Schedule
Monday 7AM
Tuesday 7AM, 9AM
Wednesday 7AM, 9AM (School Mass)
Thursday - Saturday 7AM, 9AM
Confessions 20 minutes before each Mass until 5 minutes before Mass
Coming Up...
Breakfast with Santa - Saturday December 7, 8am-11am in the cafeteria.
We will have plenty of food, crafts, and games for the whole family. Cost is $5/person. We still need help! Please contact Mike and Sally Primus at 317-400-3813 or primus.sally@gmail.comif you are able to assist with setup, cleanup, or during the event.
Christmas Masses
4:30pm Children's Mass Christmas Eve
Midnight, 6AM, 9AM
Holy Day Masses- Mary, Mother of God
4:30PM December 31
6AM, 9AM January 1
4:30pm Children's Mass Christmas Eve
Midnight, 6AM, 9AM
Holy Day Masses- Mary, Mother of God
4:30PM December 31
6AM, 9AM January 1
St. Ben's Women's Retreat - January 31 - February 2nd at Sarto Retreat Center
Registration form below.
Mardi Gras 2020 - SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, February 8, 2020 in the Eykamp Hall in the Ridgway Center on the University of Evansville campus. 5:30 – midnight. Dinner, dance & auction.
